Career Services Eastern Oregon University Resume Basics Online Tutorial

1. Career Services Eastern Oregon University Resume Basics Online Tutorial Up-to-date information on what you need to know before you start

2. NEXT SCREEN What is a resume? A self-promotional document It presents YOU in the best possible light to a prospective employer or graduate program A good resume gets you an interview A good interview gets you the job offer

3. NEXT SCREEN A resume is used to�. Initiate contact with an employer Facilitate an interview � Some interviewers start at the top and work their way through the document. (Think about it, you could be scripting your own interview. Arrange information so you get to discuss all the things that make you a terrific candidate!) Serve as a record to leave with an employer Share information with the people who are assisting you with your job search Attach to a job application- Some forms don�t allow us to express our skills and abilities very well

4. NEXT SCREEN In constructing a resume Answer the question the reader is asking: �What can this candidate do for our organization?� Envision the ideal candidate and arrange your information to match those qualities.

5. NEXT SCREEN Make no mistake Employers want to know you will represent them well. Spelling errors, poor grammar, smeared ink, crumpled corners� will send your resume right to the trash. Small Typos That Can Change the Meaning: Dealing with customers� conflicts that arouse Develop and recommend annual operating expense fudget I�m a rabid typist Instrumental in ruining entire operation for regional service organization Have others review your job search documents Check spelling, pull out the dictionary Read document backwards, word for word

6. NEXT SCREEN Tell the Truth! There have been many examples in the news recently of people who have, shall we say, the truth on their resumes. Don�t be one of them. It will catch up to you. Tell the truth� but it is okay to tell the best side of the truth Claim the highest level of skill you can legitimately claim helped vs. assisted monitored vs. supervised Small differences perhaps, but they may make a difference Be positive - Say what you can do, not what you cannot do

7. NEXT SCREEN Several Different Formats Chronological Functional Targeted

8. NEXT SCREEN Chronological Resume Chronological resumes are the easiest to prepare and thus appear to be the more popular style of resume used. In this style, you identify information in descending order, with the most recent events listed first under each heading. Chronological resumes require selective wording in order to minimize the amount of interpretation an employer will have to do. Use action verbs in describing your experiences, and highlight transferable skills. A great way to emphasize continuous employment. This style may not highlight your skills and abilities as well as another format. Nowadays, people move more frequently between employment situations. A chronological layout will highlight short stays of employment. Avoid cluttering up the resume with personal data and names of references. See chronological resume sample

9. NEXT SCREEN Functional Resume The functional resume enables the candidate to focus on skills, aptitudes, and qualities that can be applied to a number of situations. This style of resume de-emphasizes chronological listings and emphasizes qualifications, skills, and related accomplishments. Skills are organized into categories that tell employers what you will be able to do for them. The functional resume is especially valuable for candidates who lack direct job-related field experience; who want to work in fields not related to their academic background; or for those whose education is so general that they must find a way of bridging the gap between their education and the job requirements. This type of resume is also well-suited for those candidates who have considerable work experience, because it allows them to portray the skills they will be able to put to immediate use. See functional resume sample

10. NEXT SCREEN Targeted Resume A resume is not one's life history. It is a summary of the knowledge, skills and abilities one brings to a particular employer/situation. In a targeted resume, include only the information that specifically relates to that position. Given today's access to word processors, it is relatively easy to cut and paste documents and tailor resumes to specific jobs. Someone looking at a variety of employment opportunities might have three to five different resumes. The content is basically the same but it has been reorganized to highlight different strengths for each different industry or field. See targeted resume sample

11. NEXT SCREEN Special Types of Resumes State & Federal government agencies have templates and sample formats. Read directions and follow instructions You will likely be asked for your social security number and your citizenship This information belongs on this type of resume but not on others Curricula Vitae are a specific style of resume preferred for medical, academic and research positions. They contain more publications, papers, abstracts, book reviews, and presentations - Tend to be longer Because of the academic emphasis, education is featured first Usually there is no objective or profile statement More understated than business resume They look rather plain - Save the bells and whistles but make sure it is neatly organized Internet and scannable resumes � That�s a separate online tutorial (Get Net Results). The basic premise is: These days you�ll need a paper version, a scannable version and a text-only version of your resume.

12. NEXT SCREEN Tips to keep in mind Be consistent - Demonstrate your detail skills Ex. Dates can be listed 1/5/94 or January 5, 1994 or Jan. �94, or� PICK ONE and stick with it. Resumes are scanned � You�ve got 30 seconds to make a positive impression To facilitate scanning, put detail and dates on the right side of page Use short, crisp descriptive statements In general, all info goes in order of most important to least important The job description is the place to find clues about what to emphasize Be concise, one page to 1 � pages in length

13. NEXT SCREEN Power Words & PhrasesAdd these and you look like a person of actionLink to a more complete list  Accomplished Acquired Adapted Advised Arranged Capable Clarified Coached Communicated Created Designed

14. NEXT SCREEN What goes at the top? Name � address � reliable phone � e-mail No nicknames � make your gender clear- Be Christopher or Christine but not Chris What will I hear when I get your answering machine? Does it sound professional? If you will be moving soon, but you�re applying now, put two sets of contact information up top Ima Graduate Until June 15,2002 Permanent 503 Main St., Apt. 3 123 Harmony Lane La Grande, OR 97850 Hometown, OR 12345 541-962-0022 503-566-7890 Consider establishing a separate e-mail account for job search Responses won�t get lost among other correspondence What you choose as an e-mail account name makes a difference hotcoed @ hotmail sends the wrong message to a prospective employer

15. NEXT SCREEN Profile vs. Objective The resume is a marketing tool. Hook the reader�s interest with your expertise, strengths, skills, knowledge and interests. Use a profile statement to say, �Here�s what I have to offer�.� A profile replaces an objective which says - �Here�s what I want��

16. NEXT SCREEN Which sounds better?Here�s what I have to offer Here�s what I want Background of proven success in recreational and social programming with young adults. Able to coordinate all aspects of large-scale events from concept to completion. Three years service on University event planning commission including primary coordination of several major music events. Seeking an entry-level position in event planning, primary interest in music venues located in a large metropolitan area.

17. NEXT SCREEN  Resume Headings Profile Highlights Objective Teaching Objectives Education Educational Background Special Training Licensure Knowledge

18. NEXT SCREEN What comes first Education or Experience? There is no hard and fast rule. Employers are looking for both. Check the position description for clues about what might be more important. If you have related experience and want to stand out of a pool of recent college grads, consider leading with your experience and not with your degree.

19. NEXT SCREEN Put it this way� Education Bachelor of Science, Eastern Oregon University, La Grande OR Liberal Studies Minors: Business and Psychology Cumulative GPA: 3.26 Anticipated June 2003 Bachelor of Science, Rangeland Resources, Oregon State University at Eastern Oregon University, La Grande, OR Dec. 2000 Bachelor of Science with Honors, Eastern Oregon University La Grande, Oregon June 2002 Major: Multidisciplinary Studies Minor: Biology

20. NEXT SCREEN Put it this way 2Work, Community Service, & Experiences Job title, organization, location, dates Assistant Manager, Hometown Books, Baker City, OR 3/95 � present Supervise day-to-day operations in absence of manager Tutor, Learning Center, Eastern Oregon University Sept. 2000 � June 2001 Assisted students in evaluating first-drafts and improving writing skills Universitat Karlsruhe, Study Abroad Program, Karlsruhe, Germany �00 � �01 Studied computer science, acquired IT related vocabulary Volunteer, Start Making a Reader Today (SMART), La Grande Public Schools Mentor first-grader weekly to establish healthy reading habits 9-02 - current * Note verb tense. If you are currently involved write in present tense, past experiences are described in the past tense.

21. NEXT SCREEN Put it this way 3

22. NEXT SCREEN Punctuation Avoid using complete sentences to facilitate readability Instead, use short, crisp descriptive phrases Question the use of periods String phrases together with commas Scheduled firefighter crews, oriented new crew members, ensured accuracy of time sheets Use a keyboard symbol to do the same Scheduled firefighter crews / Oriented new crew members / Ensured accuracy of time sheets Bullet phrases Scheduled firefighter crews Oriented new crew members Ensured accuracy of time sheets

23. NEXT SCREEN Factoids �La Grande� is two words - Avoid breaking up the two: La Grande (They stay together on the same line) Use the postal abbreviations for states: OR or Oregon, not Ore. Spell out the first reference of an acronym: American Psychological Association (APA) Spell out the full name of the degree you are earning Bachelor of Science sure sounds/looks better than B.S. Once you�ve established a location it is not necessary to repeat it throughout the document Ex. Your degree is from Eastern Oregon University, La Grande, OR Subsequent references to the university do not need its location Your GPA belongs on your resume if it is a 3.0 or above If it isn�t you can calculate your major GPA or your GPA in the last two years - If your GPA does not appear on your resume, be prepared to explain the circumstances

24. NEXT SCREEN Your Final Product Print out your paper version using a high quality printer Use a high quality bond paper, not the standard printer paper Choose paper colors that are conservative � white, off-white or light pastels (Keep in mind your document may be copied. Gray is not advised as it does not copy well) As much as you want to stand out, avoid clip art, graphics and a flashy presentation � this is a business document (Exceptions might be made for those in creative fields) It bears repeating � no errors, no smudges, no wrinkles If you�ve gone onto two pages, don�t staple together - Make sure your name is on the top of page two, just in case the two pages get separated - (Ex. Joe Smith resume, page 2)

25. NEXT SCREEN ReferencesSinging your praises Resumes contain the information we choose to highlight. Employers will want to hear from those who can speak to your skills, abilities & work ethic before they make an investment in you. No need to say �References available upon request� on the bottom of your resume � it is assumed that you will have them when they are requested. You�ll need three to five people to write or speak on your behalf. Submit reference list with your resume on separate sheet. Use same style & font � it should match other documents in your application materials. Ask permission before you use someone�s name. Ask this way, �Do you feel comfortable writing me a strong recommendation? Engage in a conversation about what the reference giver might say about you. Give the reference writer (or speaker) a copy of your resume and share a position description. They�ll be able to target their comments to the requirements of the position.

26. NEXT SCREEN Sample reference list

27. NEXT SCREEN Cover/Application Letters Always send a cover letter with a resume �Sending a resume without a cover letter is like starting an interview without a handshake.� Cover letters are based on a formula, four paragraphs in length Sample cover letter Good cover letters are about the target organization, not about you Reflect the fact that you�ve done your research & you know what the organization does Demonstrate that your skills and experiences would help the organization meet its goals Personalize the letter � Do everything you can to find out the name and title of the recipient. Avoid �To Whom it May Concern� �or- �Dear Sir or Madam� Use the same high quality paper for resume & letter Keep copies of all correspondence

28. NEXT SCREEN Career ServicesResume Review Weekly drop-in time, No appointment necessary Wednesdays 8:30 � 10:30 am AND Fridays 1:30- -2:30 pm If these times don�t work, call to make a � hour appointment 962-3588 Send MS Word attachment to career-center@eou.edu We�ll respond as soon as possible Fax to 541-962-3618

29. NEXT SCREEN The End�  or is it the beginning? We have lots of books in the Career Services Resource Room with great examples. Most you can check out. www.eou.edu/career A Job Search Handbook is located right on the front page, upper right corner Look under Students, then Job Search Resources, then Resumes cover letters and interviewing Career Services Eastern Oregon University Inlow Hall 104 Open M-F, 8:00am � 5:00pm Call for an appointment 541-962-3588